Young people given apprenticeship advice at workshops

Year 10 pupils at St. Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge were told about the value and benefits of apprenticeships during a careers day earlier this month.

Officers and apprentices from Wiltshire Council spoke about the huge benefits of apprenticeships. The key message from the team was that an apprenticeship is a real job with a salary, which enables the apprentice to gain a nationally recognised qualification up to master’s degree level.

Pupils were asked whether they would consider doing an apprenticeship before and after the workshops and responses from those who would consider this career path rose from 13% to 67% as a result of the sessions.

Kieran Jenkins and Taylor Jarvis are currently apprentices at Wiltshire Council and shared their experiences. Kieran is doing a Level 3 Civil Engineering course while working as a bridge technician in the highways team and Taylor is doing a Level 2 Business Administration course alongside an admin data support officer role in the planning team, after having completed a two month traineeship. The traineeship gave her the work experience required for the apprenticeship role and made her stand out above other applicants.

Kieran said: “I am really enjoying working at the council while doing my civil engineering course. I’ve learnt an awful lot and the experience I’ve gained is going to be crucial for my career in the future. I would like to continue to progress through the levels and am hoping to eventually gain a degree level qualification, which I could achieve without the student debt of my friends who are at university and be a step ahead of them as I would have the experience to go with it.”

Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, cabinet member responsible for economic development, said: “I’m really pleased that the workshops have been a success. Apprenticeships are great platforms for young people to work in organisations while still learning. We’re very passionate about offering apprenticeships at Wiltshire Council and take enormous pride in watching our apprentices grow as well as those in the county overall”.

Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council will be celebrating the achievements of their apprentices at a special graduation ceremony on 6 October at Salisbury Cathedral. Apprentices who are due to complete their apprenticeship by 31 August 2016 are encouraged to register for the free event. Places can be booked by visiting http://www.inspirebiz.co.uk/gradu8